Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

HOW ARE YOU KNOWN TO OTHERS?

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: . . .” Proverbs 23:7a. This is a most interesting statement from the pages about ancient days in God’s book. It is often paraphrased, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” The word that draws attention in this verse is “thinketh.” It is from the Hebrew word, “Sha’ar” which is also translated as “Gate” in the English Bible. That makes it even more interesting.

Gates were principally known as the entrance or exit of a walled city. Of course, THE walled city to the Hebrew people was Jerusalem. Now Jerusalem had quite a number of gates. Check one of your Bible maps of Jerusalem, and find out how many and what they were called. One gate was called the “Fish Gate.” It opened at the road leading to the sea and fish markets were established near that gate; hence, its name. Another was called the “Water Gate,” no reference to the President Nixon fiasco, but rather a gate that was closest to the water supply for the city. One gate was called the “Beautiful Gate.” It led directly into the temple area from the east wall. Still another was known as the “Sheep gate.” Yet Another gate was called the “Dung gate.” It led to the Valley of Hinnom which was the city dump of Jerusalem.

One did not have to ask what people were doing. All he had to do was watch and learn. Those trafficking in an out of the Beautiful Gate were going to or coming from the temple. Those trafficking in and out of the Water Gate were transporting water for various uses. Those who trafficked in and out of the Fish Gate were buying or selling fish. Those trafficking in and out of the Sheep Gate were dealing in livestock. Those who trafficked in and out of the Dung Gate were going to or coming from the city dump; hence, dealing with garbage. It was so readily apparent what people were doing that questions to that point were not needed.

Now think with me about what that means in modern life today. The wisest man, Solomon, said, “For as he thinketh in (gateth) his heart, so is he.” What one opens his heart to is what he will be about in life. Where a man’s treasure is, there will his heart be also. Matt. 6:21. It really does make a difference what one believes . . .what he opens his heart to. This will govern his conduct, his actions, and by those things he shall be known. Those who love the Lord have opened (gated) their heart to Him and His Word. They are known by regular church attendance, helping others, and seeking the spiritual welfare of others. It shows just as plainly or more plainly today than did the various gates of traffic in ancient Jerusalem. What have you gated your heart to?

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